Gongga Shan (once known as Minya Konka) is one of the world's most dominant and significant peaks, yet it remains unknown even to many climbers. It is one of only eight peaks in the world that rank in the 50 highest and 50 most prominent peaks on earth, and only 6 are both higher and more prominent. And it lies well to the east of the main body of the Himalaya-Karakoram-Tibet complex, so it stands more isolated than most higher and better-known peaks. No other nearby summits even approach the altitude of Gongga Shan, and its small range is almost encircled by deep, misty gorges of Yangtze tributaries.

Perhaps the most interesting honor this peak can claim is that it's the highest summit in Pacific Ocean drainage basin—an area of over a third of the surface area of Earth.